Corrected charge in Polebridge sex abuse case

The 56-year-old Polebridge man accused of sexually abusing a girl who was 8-10 years old at the time has pleaded guilty to a single felony count of sexual abuse of children.

Ted Ramon pleaded guilty during a June 6 hearing in front of Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison. Sentencing is set for Aug. 14.

According to an amended information filed May 29, Ramon faced three charges of sexual abuse of children, all involving children under 12 years old. Count one dealt with creating images of children engaged in a sexual act, count two dealt with enticing a child into a sexual act for recording, and count three dealt with producing images of children engaged in a sexual act. Ramon faced up to 100 years in prison for each count, and no part of the first 25 years could be deferred or suspended.

In another amended information filed June 6, Ramon was charged with one count of sexual abuse of children — possession of images of a child engaged in a sexual act — which does not mention children under 12 years old. Ramon now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison with no minimum and a $10,000 fine.

According to a 2011 affidavit, the sexual abuse incidents occurred between June 1, 2009, and July 18, 2011. The young girl told detectives that Ramon showed her pornographic magazines and videos, talked to her about sexual acts, offered her cigars, alcohol and drugs, and told her not to tell anyone about what had happened between them or else he would go to jail.

When interviewed by a detective, Ramon allegedly admitted to taking photos of the young girl with her pants down and explaining sexual activities to her. Ramon allegedly called one of the interviewing detectives later and said he was angry the girl had not been arrested and charged for her role in the incidents. He allegedly said that if the girl had not come on to him, the incidents would never have happened.

A plea agreement was reached with the county attorney’s office on May 17, 2013, in which the prosecutors recommended dismissing two of the three sexual abuse charges and giving Ramon a 15-year prison sentence, all suspended, if he pleaded no contest to the single remaining sexual abuse charge.

Allison accepted the plea agreement and dismissed the two counts against Ramon during a change of plea hearing on June 27. That set up a sentencing hearing on Aug. 29.

But in an order issued on Aug. 23, Allison informed defense attorney Jack Quatman and prosecutor Travis Ahner that state statute prohibits the court from accepting a nolo contendre plea to certain charges. Ramon was not allowed to plead no contest to felony sexual abuse. Allison then vacated both the plea agreement and the Aug. 29 sentencing hearing.

Protesters stood outside the Flathead County Justice Center during two of Ramon’s hearings carrying signs demanding justice for the young girl. Signs read “Jail for Ted Ramon” and “Real men protect children.”